The good weather no doubt played a huge role in proceedings as they little ones arrived to begin the next big chapter in their short lives.

It was also a significant day for the school itself as this was the last intake of new pupils to the old school, which is set to be replaced by a brand new building, due to open next December.

A beaming Ella Rose Dowling was not in the least bit intimidated by her first day as she enjoyed playing with her new classmates. "I like doing schoolwork. I'll come to school everyday," she said.

"And I'll come back next week," she added.

Class teacher Mrs Ann Lynch said there were no tears on the first day. "There was great excitement among the children. Many of them already have brothers or sisters at the school, which will make the settling in process much easier," she said.

"If anything it was the parents who were more nervous than the children, particularly those who had not been through the experience of taking a child to school for the first time," she added.

Aine Cronin, whose brother Michael is in sixth class, was clearly enjoying the new experience as she played with some of the toys. "It's great fun and I really like my teacher," she said.

As he took in his new surroundings, Sean O'Callaghan was already planning for the future, telling The Corkman of his plans for when he grows up. "I love playing and want to be in the Olympics," he said.